cheap generators

[Ryan_V]

anyone have any experience with the low end generators?? a good friend is looking at one for his perm on mille lacs. are the wattage ratings accurate?? he was looking at the 1200 watt model from northern tool. He's saving for a honda, but that's a while away, so he wants one to get him by for a couple years.

PLEASE, DON'T TURN THIS INTO A "HONDA IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO" THREAD. WE ALL KNOW THAT, BUT SOME CAN'T JUSTIFY THAT KIND OF MONEY. ALL I'M LOOKING FOR IS FEEDBACK ON CHEAP GENERATORS. thanks!!

[jiggin 4 fun]

Keep an eye out for equipment

auctions - I bought my pow'r'gard

with 5 hp honda for $125

I know it's a little bulky but isn't that heavy to keep

around the perm for the weekend

just an idea

Chad

[upnorth]

We used a lower end one(don't remember the name) for a week on a house boat. Worked fine except for the fact is was pretty dang noisy. With a cheaper one he is not going to make friends with any of his neighbors on the ice.

[Whoaru99]

Based on an Consumer Reports test a year or so ago, only the Hondas and Yamahas met or exceed their ratings.

In the small generator class Craftsman, Troy-Built, and Coleman came up short - making an average of 75% of their rated power. Generators in the larger classes fared about the same, most coming up short of ratings.

So, if you are going to buy a cheapie, I'd deduct 1/4 to 1/3 from the rating. If the cheapie is rated 1200w, I'd consider it to be 800w to 900w just to be on the safe side.

The noise is another factor. A difference of 10dB in the sound ratings means the 10dB higher model sounds twice as loud as the lower one. A difference of 2dB to 3dB is noticeable to most people.

[luckey]

Last year I bought a "cheapie" 3500 watt from Pep Boys. ($250.00 after rebate). My dad used it for a day when his power was out. No problems.

[Scott K]

I too have a cheapy, coleman, it works, just loud. Mine is 5000 w, peak, 3500 const, it will suck gas if at or above the 3000 mark.

[hoggs222]

I have a coleman powermate 1800 watt that I got at home depot as a reconditioned for $300, retail was $430. Someone bought it before and said it rattled, sent it in and nothing wrong with it, so they still had to say it's reconditioned.

It doesn't seem to be too loud. I think I might build a house for it while in the permanent.

[cold one sd]

I bought a 950 watt 2 stroke generator for around $130 and it works fine. I don't think it is loud enough to bother anyone. Seems to be a good deal for the money. There were lots of them for sale on ebay at the time. I think the ones that Northern Tool and Sportsmans Guide sell are the same thing with a different label on them.

[backlash 1]

Mine is a 2000 W 4-stroke from Buffalo Tools. Paid 250. with shipping, and it worked great so far. My brother has the same one and no problems. I only use one a few weekends a year, so although I would like to have a Honda, I could'nt justify it. Mines quiet, and if I get a few years out of it, I'll be happy.

[Whoaru99]

backlash 1, this isn't directed specifically at you...

Quiet is relative. It may be quiet enough for you to enjoy the comforts that the generator is providing in your fully insulated framed shack, but that may not be quiet to someone else.

Again, not directed at anyone in particular, I'm just sayin' be noise-conscious with these things.

I've started to see more generators and people with LONG extension cords so the noise isn't so close to them and it's sometimes closer to someone else...

Y'all don't mind if I happen to plug into your generator if this is the case, do you?

[GotOne]

craigslist has a 950 watt kipor. check it out. If you run a long extension cord because it's too loud.....just might keep the people from getting too close to you. So that is a plus